World Leading Force Protection

The 21st century threat environment demands the most up-to-date equipment and capability to achieve battlespace dominance. Raytheon Australia is working with Raytheon Company and KONGSBERG to develop Australia’s new Short Range Ground Based Air Defence capability to replace the Australian Defence Force’s existing capability which is nearing the end of its life-cycle.

Raytheon Australia will provide Army with a ground-based surface-to-air missile system that will have a beyond-visual-range capability for the first time. This project is called LAND 19 Phase 7B, and it represents the inner-tier of the land-based Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability—a further step towards delivering a truly integrated joint battlespace for the ADF.

Raytheon’s innovative precision weapons are already providing layers of defence and distributed lethality capability, tested in development and proven in combat around the globe. Our approach to LAND 19 Phase 7B is no different; through integrated weapons systems to ensure mission success on land, at sea and in the air, we stand ready to deliver the capability to defend the nation. The company is at the forefront of transforming Australia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability, with a uniquely Australian solution to design, deliver and sustain the next generation Short Range Ground Based Air Defence capability.

In 2017 the Australian Government announced first pass approval to acquire the proven Raytheon/KONGSBERG National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) capability that is fielded in seven nations, including the United States. It also selected Raytheon Australia as the Prime Systems Integrator to deliver Army’s future Short Range Ground Based Air Defence capability. The company also signed a risk mitigation activity contract with the Commonwealth to cover extensive risk mitigation activities in support of the program.

NASAMS is a state-of-the-art weapon system that will enable the Army to quickly detect, engage, and destroy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missile threats. Further, NASAMS will reduce the effect of indirect weapons through the provision of a Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Sense, Warn and Locate capability. This capability will also provide early warning and targeting information against relevant threats to deployed forces. It is the right system, at the right time, to fill the ADF’s existing ground based air defence capability gap.

Raytheon Australia is committed to the role of local suppliers as part of a sovereign and capable Australian Defence industry. That is why the company is working closely with the Government and Department of Defence to maximise the amount of Australian Industry Capability for the LAND 19 Phase 7B program.

To date, we have engaged with hundreds of Australian suppliers and small and medium enterprise, while drawing upon the expertise of more than 30 people across Raytheon Australia, including employees from Canberra, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. Ultimately, the LAND 19 Phase 7B program is expected to create more than 200 jobs across Australia, many of which will continue through the life of the program.

CURRENT STATUS:

Raytheon Australia’s focus within the LAND 19 Phase 7B program in 2018 has been on successfully delivering a number of work packages under a Risk Mitigation Activities contract, with efforts focused on the integration of NASAMS with in-service protected vehicles, communication systems, tactical data links, and radars. This has progressed well with all objectives achieved.

Raytheon Australia, in partnership with KONGSBERG, has also delivered NASAMS familiarisation training to Army to help inform Army prepare for the transition to the new capability.

The Australian Government announced second pass approval on 25 March, 2019.